This post is also available in :
Itacaré is one of those places you stumble into and think, why haven’t more people told me about this? It’s a small coastal town in Bahia, chill without being dead, lively without being overwhelming. I went in January 2026 and honestly, it got me.
If you’re planning a Brazil trip, especially if you’re heading to Rio for Carnaval, Itacaré makes a perfect stopover. Hit this first, decompress on the beach, then go full chaos mode in Rio.
Itacaré sits on Bahia’s Cocoa Coast, about 70 km north of Ilhéus and 400 km south of Salvador. It’s where the Atlantic Rainforest meets the Atlantic Ocean, jungle on one side, waves on the other. It’s the kind of setting that makes you put your phone down. Almost.
The easiest route is flying into Ilhéus airport, from there, it’s a 1-hour taxi or a 2-hour bus ride. Simple, clean, done.
When I’m planning my trip, I always check flights on Skyscanner first, since it lets me compare prices and find the best deal, and most of the time I also go on Trip.com afterward, which is another great price comparison tool for flights and hotels.
From Salvador, it’s a bit more of an adventure. You take a ferry to Bom Despacho on Ilha de Itaparica, then hop on a Cidade do Sol or Aguia Branca bus for a 5-hour ride to Itacaré. Not the quickest, but honestly not bad, Brazilian buses are comfortable enough.
Once you’re in town, forget Uber, it’s not allowed. Taxi only, with fixed fares. From the bus terminal to a hotel in the center runs about 30 BRL (as of January 2026).
Itacaré is warm year-round, it’s tropical Bahia, so expect heat. Rainy season kicks in April to June, but even then it’s more “afternoon shower” than “cancelled plans.” The sweet spot? Dry season, December through March.
December through January is peak, busiest beaches, most energy in the streets, and pousadas filling up fast. Book accommodation early if you’re going in this window.
Here’s something nobody really warns you about, Itacaré has a massive Israeli crowd. After military service, many young Israelis receive travel funds from their government and a big chunk of them end up on Bahia’s coast, Itacaré, Morro de São Paulo, you name it.
When I was there in January 2026, I’d say 80% of the tourists I saw were Israeli. Some restaurant boards were written in Hebrew before Portuguese or English. It’s not a problem, just interesting.
If you’re a couple, you’ll have a blast.
If you’re solo and hoping to meet a diverse crowd, just know the vibe leans one way here, versus somewhere like Jericoacoara, where the traveler mix is much more international.
Most travelers visit the same 20 places their whole life.
Here are 500 reasons to do better.A curated world map of 500 unforgettable destinations across every continent — open it in Google Maps and start planning.
Let’s be real, the beach is the whole point of coming here. And the good news? You have options. Town beaches are walkable from the center; wilder ones require trails through Atlantic Forest. Check tides before heading to the more remote spots, some access paths flood.
This is the main town beach, calm water, bars, restaurants, easy access. It’s 10-15 minutes on foot from the center and the go-to spot for paddleboarding and kayaking. Great for a lazy morning with a coconut in hand.
A short walk further south, Resende has a quieter energy, less surf, fewer people, good sand. 15-20 minutes from Concha, it’s the perfect “I just want to read a book on the beach” spot.
Tiririca is where the surfers live. Strong waves, a lively crowd, and bars to recover at after. 5 minutes from Resende, just follow the sound of boards hitting water.
A bit more effort to reach via trail, but worth it, secluded, beautiful, crystal water. Minimal infrastructure, so pack snacks and water.
Further out, Jeribucaçu rewards the effort with a long, wide stretch of surf-ready beach and almost no crowds. The trail through the forest to get there is half the fun.
This one is special. 3.5 km of near-untouched beach backed by coconut palms and Atlantic Forest, it’s the kind of beach that makes travel worth it. A 1-hour hike or short boat ride from town. Don’t skip it.
Yes, beaches. But here’s what else to fill your days with.
Tiririca, Resende, Engenhoca, Itacarezinho, take your pick. Surf schools are dotted around town for beginners, and more advanced surfers will find solid Atlantic swells. One of the best things to do in Itacaré if you’ve never tried it.
SUP and Hawaiian canoe tours launch from Concha into the mangroves and toward waterfalls. Calm, peaceful, totally different feel to the ocean beaches. Good change of pace.
White-water rafting on the Rio das Contas is a solid half-day of adrenaline. Not extreme, but enough to get the heart pumping. Most agencies in town can sort you out.
The Four Beaches Trail is the classic, it connects Itacarezinho, Camboinha, Havaizinho, and Engenhoca through Atlantic Forest. You can do it without a guide, but a local guide adds a lot of context and keeps you on track.
Whale watching in Itacaré is a July-to-October thing, humpbacks breach right off the coast. If you’re here in season, do it. Book with a responsible operator, ideally one tied to the Projeto Baleia Jubarte to make sure it’s done right.
If whale watching is your thing, we also have a full guide on whale watching in Bahia Solano, Colombia, one of the best spots in South America for it.
Itacaré is on the Cocoa Coast for a reason. A full-day tour to Fazenda Taboquinhas or the ‘Instituto Amarau’ (around R$175) gets you cocoa harvesting, tastings, and lunch by a waterfall. Surprisingly one of the highlights of the trip.
Jungle and beach trail rides on horseback, short or long, depending on your energy levels. Easy to arrange through any local agency.
You’re in Bahia, Capoeira was born here. Catch a beach session in the evening, or join one if you’re feeling brave. Good music, incredible athleticism.
Keep an eye on your garden, balcony, or power lines, little Mico monkeys pop up everywhere. Always carry a banana. They’ll come right to you, gently, and take it piece by piece. Local rumor says they carry rabies, maybe, but in all my time there, I never saw one act anything other than adorably chill.
Grab a caipirinha at Mirante Lounge Bar e Restaurante, or just sit on the grass next to it. Either way, watch the sun go down over the Atlantic with a drink in hand. That’s the move.
The only travel map you need before your trip
Hand-picked beaches, hikes, waterfalls, national parks, monuments, cities and hidden gems.
I’ve pinned them from my own travel in Latin America.
Opens directly on Google Map on your phone, and I updated them regurlarly.
Bahian food hits differently. Fresh seafood, coconut milk, bold spices — it’s some of the best regional cooking in Brazil.
Moqueca Baiana is non-negotiable, a rich fish and coconut stew, and every restaurant in town has their own spin on it.
Xinxim de Galinha is chicken with shrimp and peanut sauce, one of Bahia’s great underrated classics.
And if you see Camarão no Abacaxi (shrimp served inside a pineapple) on a menu, order it. It sounds gimmicky, it is not.
Pedro Longo is the street. Cobblestones, fairy lights, live music, caipirinhas, it’s the heartbeat of Itacaré’s nightlife. Nothing wild, nothing overwhelming. It’s exactly the right amount of fun for a town this size.
Heading to Rio after? Pedro Longo is your warm-up. Check our full guide to the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro to plan the second half of your trip, and if Carnaval is on the cards, our Rio Carnaval guide has everything you need.
The best area to base yourself is around Pituba and Praia da Concha, you’re walking distance from the main beach, the restaurants, and Pedro Longo street. Everything is close, so location matters less here than it does in bigger cities, but staying central still saves you taxi fares.
If you prefer beautiful landscapes and listening instead of reading, I’ve also made a YouTube video about this place. Hit play, relax, and let me show you what it really looks like on the ground.
Itacaré is genuinely one of my favorite small towns in Brazil. Great beaches, good food, chill streets, it delivers on every front.
The Israeli crowd thing caught me off guard. Not a problem, just a reality, you’ll hear more Hebrew than Portuguese some nights. For couples, it doesn’t matter at all. For solo travelers hoping to meet a mix of people, you might find more connection in Jericoacoara or Ilha Grande.
Either way, fit Itacaré into your Brazil itinerary trip. Some people pefer to go to Morro Sao Paulo or Barra Grande, but whatever you choose you need to visit Bahia coast, it’s just magical.
Go before Rio Carnaval, decompress on the beach, eat the moqueca twice, feed a Mico, and then go lose yourself in Rio. That’s the move.
And if you want to keep exploring Brazil’s wilder side, our guide to Lençóis Maranhenses is worth a read, dune lakes, remote beaches, zero crowds.
This post is also available in :
Join our community and receive exclusive travel stories, guides, and special offers!
Skip the research rabbit hole.
I’ll build you a personalised day-by-day itinerary — or answer all your questions on a quick 60-min call.
Some of my posts include affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at absolutely no extra cost to you.
Using these links is the best way to support my work and say thank you, and I appreciate it so much! Of course, everything I share reflects my honest opinions and experiences.
Brand, tourism board or hotel?
Let’s create something together — content, reviews and campaigns that reach real travellers who are ready to book.
I’ve compiled 500 of the best places across my travels into one free Google Map.
The kind of spots you won’t find in a guidebook.
Still figuring things out for your trip, or just want to double check something before you book? Send me a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Or hit me up on Instagram, I’m there anyway and always happy to chat about the trip.
Share it with the person you to travel with !
You might also like to read these articles
